Tony Hawk?s Underground 2

THUG 2 is the most complete Hawk title to date?so thrash it up!

Tony Hawk defines the phrase ?old school? in the realm of professional skating?his accomplishments and exploits are legendary. Hawk?s notoriety is also attributed to the franchise of video games that bear his name, and it?s very appropriate that his latest, Tony Hawk Underground 2, is in its own rights ?old school,? thanks to its solid, familiar gameplay and the inclusion of Classic Mode.

Viva La Hawk

Okay, before getting nostalgic and teary-eyed, THUG 2 isn?t a rehash of Pro Skater?s glory days, quite the contrary?it?s a wild two team, six-city romp around the world as you create a persona and shred it up with the Birdman, Bam Margera, and a motley crew of skating degenerates in the World Destruction Tour. The gist of the WDT is simple: accumulate points by completing an exhausting list of objectives to unlock other parts of the globe. Along the way, playable special guests like hot-rodder Jesse James and a host of skating pros lend a hand, board, or customized ride to further help your team?s cause.

As with THUG, the environments are pretty expansive and there?s no time limit, leaving you free to map out the level and systematically complete the prescribed tasks. However, there?s nothing in THUG 2 that should surprise anyone remotely familiar with the gameplay: see it, skate it, thrash it, or bash it?we?re talking places and people. Like the Hawks before it, THUG 2 introduces new control features that up the ante on the already exciting action, the most significant being Focus Control. Once activated, all the action is slowed to a virtual crawl, enabling you to combo the more complex tricks and aid in completing goals that require miraculous tightrope-type grinds. Also in the mix is the Freak Out move, which lets you start a combo by throwing a tantrum after eating asphalt.

Kickin? It with the Bonez Brigade

The Story mode and unparalleled customization features aside, such as the new Create-a-Graphic feature and the ability to implement your face into the game via the PlayStation 2 EyeToy (sorry Xboxers), THUG 2 also includes Classic Mode?yep, the two-minute timer and the all-time favorite goals like spelling S-K-A-T-E and finding the secret tape are back! In addition to the levels found within the game, there are also a host of levels from the previous Pro Skater games to make you feel all warm and cozy inside. Three words: outstanding replay value!

Technically, THUG 2 is an exceptional game thanks to great sound, which includes a topnotch soundtrack; outstanding controls; and, aside from some awkward clipping, crisp graphics. Both the Xbox and PS2 versions compare favorably in every department and the only advantage at all lies with the PS2 version, but only because of its online components.

Hawk and Roll All Night, and Party Every Day

If there?s a reason to get excited about the franchise again, THUG 2 is definitely it. The Story Mode is decidedly different in that it doesn?t feel like a rehash of THUG and the inclusion of Classic Mode is brilliant?that?s without accounting for the expansive customizable and multiplayer options. Simply put, this game is skating nirvana.

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